ABCYou - A very Specky Christmas

Australia’s leading gay and lesbian newspaper
Est. 1979 • Issue 960 • Wednesday 04 March 2009
NATIONS UNITED?
. Special report: Page 25
cover story
Is the world dying to be gay?
In the days following July 19 2005, photographs
of two teenage boys dangling by the neck in the
ironically named Justice Square in Mashhad in
north-eastern Iran permeated the internet.
The details behind the public
executions are sketchy. According
to the Iranian authorities, the
teenagers participated in
the rape of a 13-year-old
boy. Article 110 of the
Islamic Penal Code
states, “Punishment
for sodomy is
killing; the sharia
judge decides on
how to carry out
the killing.”
International
organisations
condemned
the
deaths,
accusing Iran
of fabricating
the charges.
Peter
Tatchell
from
the British activist
group
OutRage
said, “Whilst we are
powerless here to directly
affect what happens in Iran
the least we can do is raise our
voice against this unbelievable
international
star
lyndon barnett
E: [email protected]
cruelty. We urge people not to be complicit in
this through silence.”
This case is not an isolated event. OutRage
reported that 4000 gay and lesbian Iranians
have been executed since 1979.
As Sydney prepares for its annual parade,
celebrating freedom of expression and diversity,
it is vital we remember that homosexual acts
are not only punishable by death under
statute in some foreign countries, but these
laws are acted upon.
According to a report into homophobia
commissioned by the International Lesbian
and Gay Association in 2008, there are 82
countries where homosexuality
is illegal, with a further seven
where homosexual acts “are not
illegal as such, but not entirely
legal either.”
Of these countries there are
seven where homosexuality
is punishable by death.
Of the 192 countries
currently recognised by the
United Nations, a massive 46
percent prohibit homosexual
acts.
Whosoever shall be
convicted of the
abominable crime of
buggery committed either
with mankind or with any
animal, shall be liable to
be imprisoned and kept to
hard labour for a term not
exceeding 10 years
— Article 76 of Jamaica’s Offences
Against the Person Act
Peter
Tatchell
These statistics accompany a much more
frightening phenomenon. In
some countries, outlawing
homosexuality by statute
seems to grant vigilantes
permission to carry out their
own campaign of hatred and
bigotry.
In June 2004, a leading
Jamaican LGBT activist, Brian
Williamson, was stabbed at
least 70 times in his Kingston
apartment. Again, this is not an
Wednesday 04 March 2009
➥Continued page 26
The Star
25
cover
Human rights lawyer Jenni
Millbank ... “I urge all people
to support the efforts of
Human Rights Watch and the
International Lesbian and Gay
Association’.
Nations united to support glo
➥from page 25
isolated incident. The group Williamson
founded, the Jamaica Forum for
Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, believe
30 gay men were murdered because
of their sexuality between 1997 and
2006.
The year following Williamson’s
murder, the European Union called
“on the Government of Jamaica to
repeal sections 76, 77 and 79 of the
Offences Against the Person Act, which
criminalise sex between consenting
adult men and are used as justification for
unacceptable harassment, notably against
HIV/AIDS educators; asks the Government
of Jamaica to actively fight widespread
homophobia.”
Article 76 of the Act states, “Whosoever
shall be convicted of the abominable crime
of buggery [anal intercourse] committed
either with mankind or with any animal,
shall be liable to be imprisoned and kept
to hard labour for a term not exceeding 10
years.”
The Jamaican Government has not changed
the law to date.
The United Nations
The United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights begins with the lofty clause, Article
1, “All human beings are born free and equal in
dignity and rights.”
26
The Star
Wednesday 04 March 2009
Iran ... “Punishment for sodomy is killing; the sharia
judge decides on how to carry out the killing.”
While there are currently no UN documents
explicitly outlawing persecution based on sexuality,
there have been two initiatives in recent times to
rectify the situation.
In 2003 the Brazilian Government proposed to
the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
the ‘Brazilian Resolution,’ which called upon “all
States to promote and protect the human rights of all
persons regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Brazil was opposed by the Vatican and the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference, a Muslim
bloc headed by Egypt and Pakistan who considered
the resolution “an insult to Muslims worldwide.”
After much diplomatic manoeuvring and
proposed amendments, the Commission deferred
discussions. To date, the resolution has not been
placed back on the agenda, effectively rendering the
2003 initiative a defeat.
British European Parliament member Michael
Cashman said at the time, “Both the Vatican and
the Conference of Islamic States should hang their
heads in shame for having reduced their beliefs to
the gutter of bigotry and discrimination.”
The first time homosexuality was discussed on
the floor of the UN General Assembly was last year,
when France and the Netherlands co-sponsored a
declaration calling upon the decriminalisation of
homosexuality worldwide.
The Declaration read, “We
reaffirm the principle of nondiscrimination which requires
that human rights apply equally
to every human being regardless
of sexual orientation or gender
identity.”
The French Human Rights Peter Furness
Minister, Rama Yade, drove the initiative. “How can
we tolerate the fact that people are stoned, hanged,
decapitated and tortured only because of their
sexual orientation?” she asked.
Fifty-seven countries, including the United States,
opposed the declaration. The opposing statement
read by Syria said the initiative could lead to, “the
social normalization, and possibly the legitimisation,
of many deplorable acts including pedophilia.”
Sixty-six countries voted in favour. Although the
declaration was non-binding, the initiative was
viewed as a significant step forward.
cover story
obal gay and lesbian rights
Both the Vatican and the
Conference of Islamic
States should hang
their heads in shame
for having reduced
their beliefs to the
gutter of bigotry and
discrimination
— British European Parliament
member Michael Cashman
Australia’s Role
Is there anything we can do here in Australia, to help
the gay and lesbian population in countries where
there are both laws prohibiting homosexual acts and
societies failing to recognise the basic human rights
of gay people?
Simon Margan, spokesman for Community
Action Against Homophobia said, “It is because we
have right the right to be gay in Australia that we
can speak for the people who don’t have that right
in their own country. They can’t demand gay rights,
because just being gay is a crime. We should fight for
their rights.”
Margan said it was CAAH who first alerted the
Australian Government to the UN Declaration last
December.
“We found that the Government didn’t even know
Amnesty goes to town with Mardi Gras theme
ANI LAMONT
Nations United — from Amnesty
International’s perspective, a more apt
and appropriate theme could not have
been chosen.
Amid the fun and glamour of
embracing a theme like Nations United
— as you attach the last rhinestones to
a pair of Dutch clogs or put the final
touches on your Kabuki face paint
before heading out to the party —
Amnesty will ask parade-goers to take a
moment and think about what it’s like
to be gay and lesbian in less accepting
parts of the world.
“The essential idea of the parade
float this year will to be to communicate
that there are still lots of bad things
about it, so we organised for individuals to send
letters to parliamentarians including the AttorneyGeneral lobbying for their support. In the end
Australia enthusiastically supported the motion,” he
said.
“It is important that we remind the Government
of their international obligations. On this occasion,
it wasn’t a matter of demanding they support it, but
just a matter of letting them know what was going
on.”
happening in the world,” Amnesty’s
GLBT group convenor Lizzi Price said.
Entrants will don T-shirts spelling
out the fact that in 77 countries
homosexuality is illegal, punishable
with jail time, while in seven countries
homosexuality is punishable by death.
“At Fair Day this year we managed
to get some time on the stage and got
a number of people over to our tent to
sign four letters we had running. It was
also great to get a number of people
signing up to be on our mailing list or to
be a part of the group.”
One of the letters at Fair Day
drew attention to Nigeria, where
homosexuality is illegal, and new
legislation puts anyone living with
a member of the same sex at risk
of incarceration. It is illegal to offer
assistance to anyone who has been
found out to be gay — a factor which has
grave ramifications for HIV prevention
campaigns in the country.
“When people ask me about
persecution in the world, they’re
usually shocked. But I don’t think
they’re unfamiliar with the state of the
world, it’s just that it is shocking,” Price
said. “If we all just do a little something
every now and then, added together
that’s a huge thing and it can change
the world.”
info: For more on Amnesty International or
to get involved with the GLBT network visit
amnesty.org.au.
Margan was recently accepted on to the board of
the International Lesbian and Gay Association for
the Australia/Pacific Region.
“It is by working with ILGA, which is recognised
by the UN, that you can make a real difference in
countries,” he said.
Peter Furness, spokesman for Australian Marriage
Equality believes Australia would have more leverage
Rama Yade ...’How can
we tolerate the fact
that people are stoned,
hanged, decapitated and
tortured only because of
their sexual orientation?’
➥Continued page 28
Wednesday 04 March 2009
The Star
27
cover story
Nations united?
➥from page 27
on the world stage if the Australia’s gay population
had full legal rights.
“How can you urge other countries if you don’t
have complete equality yourself?” he asked.
“One advantage of our organisation is that we
are focused on a single issue. Marriage confronts
people and challenges them. I believe you’re
either equal under the law or you’re not. The law
influences attitudes enormously.”
To escape persecution, gay refugees are seeking
asylum in more accepting countries. Human rights
lawyer Jenni Millbank said Australia first began
accepting refugees who argued persecution on the
basis of their sexuality in 1993.
“Australia is second only to Canada in this
regard,” she said. “Lesbian and gay men have a
good chance of arguing their case here. Between
20 to 30 percent of cases are successful, which is a
pretty good success rate compared with the overall
average.”
When making a decision, Millbank believes the
decision makers aren’t always aware of the extent
of the prejudice in foreign countries.
“I urge all people to support the efforts of Human
Rights Watch and the International Lesbian and
Gay Association whose members have risked
their own lives to travel into African countries to
document the situation there. These documents
are vital for the decision makers because they
provide the evidence for the persecution,” she
said.
“Our Government could be much stronger in
applying diplomatic pressure on countries like Iran
and Zimbabwe where state-sponsored violence is
known.”
28
The Star
Wednesday 04 March 2009
The International Lesbian and Gay Association map showing
the state of gay and lesbian rights around the globe.
special report
expresstoday.co.nz
Ruling
on
equality:
the European Court of Human Rights
Anti-gay protesters in Warsaw, July 16, 2006. Photo | Michal Zacharzewski, SXC
Warsaw Gay Day 2005. Photo | Michal Zacharzewski, SXC
“Begone the insolent propaganda of homosexuals!” states one placard.
With 47 countries and 800 million citizens, the Council of
Europe presides over member states with quite disparate
views on the acceptance of homosexuality. Lyndon Barnett
examines to what extent the European Court of Human
Rights has facilitated greater equality and legal protection for
Europe’s GLBT community.
rules on “individual or State applications alleging violations of
the civil and political rights set out in the European Convention
on Human Rights.” Any European resident is free to challenge
inequality in this European Court. Since its inception in 1959, the
court has heard around 30 cases relating to discrimination based
on sexuality.
On 02 March this year, the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) ruled unanimously that Poland had discriminated against
Piotr Kozak, a gay man seeking to succeed the tenancy of an
apartment in the name of his now-deceased partner, whom he
lived with for nine years. Throughout the domestic proceedings,
the Polish Courts used Article 18 of the Polish Constitution, which
defines marriage as ‘a union of a man and a woman,’ as validation
of their stance.
Professor Robert Wintemute, a Human
Rights Lawyer with King’s College London,
believes the ECHR’s role has been very
important for enshrining basic human rights
for the European GLBT community.
The ECHR ruled that Poland had violated Article 14, Prohibition
of Discrimination, and Article 8, Right to Respect for Private and
Family Life, of the European Convention on Human Rights, by
refusing to recognise cohabitation of same-sex partners. Article
14 states, “...without discrimination on any ground such as sex,
race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national
or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth
or other status.”
The ECHR ruled that de facto cohabitation must include individuals
in same-sex relationships, effectively dismissing the country’s
constitutional provisions as impediments to the recognition of
same-sex partner rights.
Evelyne Paradis, executive director of the
International Lesbian and Gay Association
said, “We welcome this decision of the
European Court of Human Rights. This
is the second decision affirming that if a
State provides certain rights to cohabiting
different sex partners, the same rights have
to be made available equally to same-sex
partners.”
Szymon Niemiec is one of Poland’s
leading gay activists. “I am satisfied that the
European Court again decided that Poland
is not a democratic country. Still in our
government’s mind non-hetero-normative
people are at the end of a to-do list,”
he said.
This latest decision from the ECHR is an
example of how gay legal equality is being
achieved in Europe by brave individuals challenging local countrybased court decisions at a continent-wide level.
“Decisions by the ECHR are important for two reasons. Firstly, they
demonstrated that GLBT problems are real, showing our problems
in light of international law and legal systems. And secondly they
demonstrated which laws must be changed, not only in Poland,
but in the whole of the European Union,” said Niemiec.
Based in Strasbourg, France, the European Court of Human Rights
GAY RIGHTS 24 MARCH - 06 APRIL 2010
“What the ECHR does is to determine when
enough countries have changed their antigay laws, or provided protection against
discrimination in a particular area,” he said.
“The ECHR can interpret the European Convention on Human Rights
as requiring these changes or protection as a minimum standard
for all 47 countries that are members of the Council of Europe and
therefore parties to the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The first case where the ECHR ruled in favour of GLBT equality was
in 1981 when Jeffrey Dudgeon, a gay activist from Belfast, Northern
Ireland challenged the criminalisation of homosexual acts in his
country.
The court agreed that the criminalisation of homosexuality between
consenting adults violated Article 8, Right to Respect for Private and
Family Life, which states, “Everyone has the right to respect for his
private and family life, his home and his correspondence. There shall
be no interference by a public authority...”
As a result of the ruling, homosexual sex was decriminalised in
Northern Ireland in October 1982.
This decision was also significant because it laid the foundation
for similar claims from individuals from the Republic of Ireland and
Cyprus, both of whom challenged the sodomy laws in their countries
at the ECHR.
The campaign for homosexulatiy to be
formally decriminalised in Ireland began
with Senator David Norris, who argued
that consensual sex between two men
was enshrined with a right to privacy.
After the Supreme Court of Ireland upheld
the constitutionality of its laws rendering
homosexual acts illegal, Norris took the
case to the European Court, which ruled in
1988 that the Irish law was a violation of Article 8, Right to Respect
for Private and Family Life. David Norris became the first openly
gay person elected to public office in Ireland when he was elected
to the Seanad in 1987.
While such cases demonstrate the degree to which the European
Court is determined to enshrine parity, there are gay equality
cases still pending.
Russian activists have attempted to hold a pride parade in
Moscow each year since 2006. However,
Moscow’s Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, possibly
influenced by the powerful Russian
Orthodox Church, has consistently denied
permission for the event. Consequently
the Moscow Pride Parade organisers are
attempting to challenge Luzhkov’s decision
in Strasbourg.
The organisers said, “Moscow authorities
unlawfully denied us our constitutional right to freedom of assembly
enshrined in Article 31 of the Constitution.” In September 2009,
the Court formally opened the case, examining the circumstances
surrounding the banning of 163 GLBT events in Moscow including
the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Pride Parades. A ruling is imminent
- however it is unlikely to be made before 29 May when the next
Moscow Pride Parade is scheduled.
While some Eastern European countries fight for recognition, other
Western European countries are striving for marriage equality, with
some officials openly threatening their country’s lawmakers with
European interference.
In 2004, French Mayor Noel Mamère
officiated over the wedding of a same-sex
couple, only to be told by France’s highest
court in 2007 that the marriage was illegal.
The couple subsequently announced they
would appeal to the ECHR.
Mamère told the BBC at that time, “I was
actually enforcing the European Convention
for Human Rights which prohibits any
discrimination when I performed the marriage
in June 2004.”
Similarly in June 2009, Greek Mayor Tasos
Aliferis married two same-sex couples
on the Greek Island of Rhodes, citing a
loophole in the civil marriage law that refers
only to ‘persons’ and not a specific gender.
However, the Greek Government maintained
that marriage is only open to individuals of
the opposite sex and declared the marriages void.
Both Greek couples have said they will appeal the decision in
Strasbourg. One of the women, Evangelia Vlami told the Associated
Press last year, “We believe it [the appeal court] will rule on human
relationships based not on any formalities but on contemporary
reality. We believe that our wedding is valid. We knew it would take a
long fight, but we have patience.”
Professor Wintemute from London does stress that the ECHR cannot
do it all on its own.
“Changes must start with political campaigns or court cases at the
national level. If enough of them succeed, then the ECHR can assist.
In the case of marriage (5 of 47 countries allow same-sex couples to
marry in Europe) and joint adoption (9 of 47 countries allow it), it is
difficult to ask the ECHR to intervene,” he said.
| Lyndon Barnett
express focus on asia
Creating GLBT equality
in Asia - click by click
As a continent, Asia provides its own unique challenges to breaking down barriers and providing a positive awareness of diversity. The
web has proved a significant catalyst to the dissemination of information: offering Asia’s gay community a sense of purpose and belonging.
Lyndon Barnett spoke with the representatives from two significant Asian-based websites for their thoughts on gay Asia and the web.
expresstoday.co.nz
NEWS BRIEFS
Washington DC legalises samesex marriage
The District of Columbia became the sixth
place in the country permitting same-sex
unions. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire and Vermont also issue
same-sex couples licences. Most couples
who applied for licences were from the
district and nearby Virginia and Maryland,
which said last week it will recognise samesex unions performed elsewhere until the
state Legislature or courts decide otherwise.
In DC, the marriage bureau prepared for the
day by making licence applications genderneutral, asking for the name of each “spouse”
rather than the “bride” and “groom”.
Lithuania bans gay marriage
promotion
China: Fridae
The history of homosexuality in some Asian
countries is hard to pin down. Looking at China’s
literary history reveals a number of veiled
references to homosexuality over the years, but
explicit talk of gay life was rare. Religious texts
have been traditionally interpreted as being against
homosexuality, such as the importance of yin and
yang to Taoism, however homosexuality is not
considered a sin as it is in Christian churches.
This vagueness extended to Chinese law.
Homosexuality was essentially illegal until 1997,
when in 1997 “hooliganism” was removed from
the criminal law, a de facto decriminalisation of
homosexuality. The first clear message came when
on April 20, 2001, the Chinese Classification of
Mental Disorders formally removed homosexuality
from its list of mental illnesses.
An internet survey earlier this century showed
that Chinese people are becoming more tolerant
towards homosexuality: among the 10,792
surveyed, 48% were in favour, 31% disapproved,
14% were uncertain, and 7% were indifferent.
As for GLBT Chinese in the media, there is very
little done to promote the achievements of the
community. Mainstream news did not cover
China’s attendees at the 2002 Gay Games, and
the authorities still refuse to promote either gay
issues or gay rights in China.
Fridae.com CEO Stuart Koe gladly recites a
friend’s mantra when asked about the impact
his website has had on Asian gay life: Fridae has
changed the landscape.
Since being launched in 2001, the Hong Kong-based
site now has over 500,000 members, averaging
50,000 hits daily and a dedicated editorial team
that publishes in English and Chinese to fulfil its
mission to ‘empower gay Asia’.
“That was the fourth consecutive year Fridae
was recognised at these awards, because we
received the lower-tiered Arts Supporter Award
in previous years. Fridae’s commitment to the
arts is founded on the belief that it enriches all
our lives,” Stuart says.
Stuart believes the internet has played a key
role in the dissemination of homosexuality
throughout Asia.
“Asia lags behind the West, where the gay
community has enjoyed freedoms since the ’60s
and ’70s. In some cases, it’s because of laws
that criminalise homosexuality. In other cases,
it’s because of social stigma and discrimination,
making it impossible for gays and lesbians to
fully realise their identities, and hence they are
an underground, invisible and hard to reach,”
Stuart says.
“The Internet has changed that. In the mid-’90s
the gay community was one of the first distinct
niche groups that found an affinity to the Internet.
Its charms: anonymity and discretion. People
could hide behind a façade, and not reveal who
they were, for fear of discrimination if they were
ever revealed.”
Stuart noticed that Asia embraced the newfound potential. “In my mind, the growth of the
gay community in Asia from an underground,
invisible one, to the dynamic, thriving, and
rapidly expanding one today started when the
world wide web became accessible, and people
discovered they were no longer alone,” he says.
“Through accurate, unbiased information, our
readers can make better informed decisions, not
live lives of shame, and ultimately have the tools
to live better lives.”
Thailand: Utopia-Asia
According to Stuart, the success of Fridae lies
with its all encompassing aim of being gay
Asia’s media platform.
Last year, Fridae was given the Friend of the
Arts Award, the highest level of recognition
awarded to a gay company for its support and
contribution to Singapore’s arts scene by the
National Arts Council.
express
www.utopia-asia.com began life as a website to
support a drop-in centre in Thailand.
“In 1995 we opened Southeast Asia’s first gay
and lesbian centre in Bangkok,” says Utopia’s
director John Goss. “Our goal was to provide a
positive alternative to the commercial sex scene
for young GLBT, a place where they could socialise
on a friendship basis and find contemporary gay
lifestyle information at their fingertips.”
The act of sodomy was decriminalised in Thailand
in 1956, but GLBT Thais face challenges that
non-GLBT Thais do not.
Homosexuality was struck off the list of mental
illnesses in 2002, GLBT Thais have been able
to serve in the military since 2005, and in 2007
the very vague prohibition against “unfair”
discrimination based on “personal status” was
added to the constitution. The law, however, does
not recognise same-sex marriages, civil unions or
partnerships, and it is unclear whether same-sex
couples would be allowed to adopt children.
A controversial law which bans the
promotion of gay marriage in Lithuania
came into power this week. The law was
amended in December after international
criticism. Before, it prohibited the “public
dissemination” of any materials that could
be seen to promote homosexuality. Instead,
lawmakers approved changes that would ban
the “encouraging the sexual abuse of minors,
sexual relations between minors and other
sexual relations”.“Other sexual relations”
means that campaigning for gay marriage or
civil partnerships will be illegal, human rights
group Amnesty International has argued.
GLAAD pans mag for genderbashing Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
In the fickle online world, Utopia has not only
survived 15 years but continues to thrive, with
250,000 people accessing the site every month.
Utopia’s goal remains constant: to promote
positive alternatives for Asian GLBT, which now
includes 19 countries and hundreds of individual
cities on the site.
John believes that by simply making gay lifestyle
information freely available to the public, the site
has aided to both demystified homosexuality
and pushed along the inevitable acceptance of
gays where they might have otherwise remained
invisible and subject to suffering from prejudice.
“We’ve also boosted customers for gay
businesses and gay tourism to the region in
general. We’ve recognised gay pioneers through
our Utopia awards, and archived gay news
and HIV/AIDS information for the future. We’ve
pushed back when gays were being picked
on, focused our spotlight on injustices, and
applauded when gays have achieved milestones
in finding acceptance,” he says.
“We’ve heard from couples who first met on our
website and comrades far out in the hinterlands
who have found a refuge and moral support on
our pages. We’ve initiated and sponsored pride
and film festivals and have always provided
simple safer sex instructions in regional
languages. Millions of people have been able to
find friends in places where they are welcomed,
to interact more deeply with other cultures and
share their lives and feelings across borders.”
“Fridae is a social enterprise serving Asia’s GLBT,
by engaging communities and organisations
throughout the region and giving them a platform
to speak and be heard,” says Stuart.
“We have built a platform for countless gay men and
women from all over the world to meet and forge
lasting relationships, and have provided a channel
for the marginalised to speak and be heard. We
have reported on news that no others would tell and
supported the arts, artists, film makers and writers.
To many, Fridae is one of the only credible media
sources reporting on gay news in the region, one of
the community’s leaders and spokespersons, and
a key agent of change,” he says.
The trans community is generally accepted in
the more westernised areas of Thailand, and
trans characters are quite common in Thai
popular entertainment, television shows and
nightclub performance - but what about the rest
of the community? Coverage of GLBT news and
lifestyle information can be found on Utopia.
John owes the site’s success to having the right
mix, including selecting an appropriate name
that in effect would be a secret password that
only Asian gays would recognise.
“Slow, carefully controlled growth and not being
too specialised. We’ve always had real world and
online components, gay and lesbian materials,
free and commercial services,” John says.
“We essentially maintain our integrity and
our reputation for being focused on building
a community where it previously really
didn’t exist. | Lyndon Barnett & express staff
The latest issue of Life & Style, a popular
celebrity gossip magazine with several
hundred thousand readers, features a cover
story which claims that actress Angelina Jolie
is turning Shiloh, her daughter with Brad
Pitt, into a boy. The cover features Shiloh
with a short haircut and polo shirt and asks:
“Is it harming the three-year-old?” American
GLBT advocacy group GLAAD panned the
magazine’s choice to run the story. “Life &
Style is way off the mark with this outrageous
coverage,” said Rashad Robinson of GLAAD.
“Perpetuating gender stereotypes and
targeting children for ridicule about the way
they dress is unacceptable, regardless of their
parent’s celebrity status.” The article cites
several so-called ‘experts’, including Glenn
Stanton, from the anti-GLBT organisation
Focus on the Family. He says, “[Children]
need help, they need guidance of what that
looks like. It’s important to teach our children
that gender distinction is very healthy.”
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell rushing ahead
Following the historic call by President
Barack Obama’s call for the end of the
United States’ ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy,
banning gays in the military, Senators are
introducing legislation to repeal the current
law or halt discharges of gays continuing to
take place. The president’s call prompted a
year long review ending this December, but
senators are attempting to push through
change more quickly.
the AROHA express 10 - 23 MARCH 2010
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As diversity becomes more accepted world-wide, the traditional gayfriendly 'pink' cities of San Francisco, London, New York and Sydney
are under threat. Here are some new contenders for the title of most
pink city:
Barcelona
Spain was the first country in the world to recognise same sex marriage on completely equal terms and
no city demonstrates a more liberal attitude than Barcelona. Barcelona's gay district centres around
L'Eixample or Gayxample, where revellers have the choice of dozens of pulsating bars including the
trendy Punto Barcelona. For a full rundown of the gay scene visit Gay Barcelona 4u.
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Israel's acceptance of diversity was cast on the world stage when transsexual Dana International won
the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998, securing the secular party town of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean
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coast as the region's pink mecca. Gay culture is so infused in the Tel Aviv society that there is no specific
gay area, however the bars and clubs, such as the popular Evita, are mainly concentrated around
Rothshild Avenue. Israel's gay and lesbian population also enjoy a raft of equality legislation. Visit Gay
Tel Aviv Guide for more details on the Israeli city where there's no need for a yarmulke.
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Buenos Aires
It certainly says something when a Spanish hotelier hand picks one city out of the whole continent to
open a gay luxury hotel: for his foray into South America, Juan Julia chose Buenos Aires to open his
'hetero friendly' Axel Hotel. The Argentine capital is certainly setting the trend for Latin America, the city
was the first region on the continent to permit civil unions. The gay infrastructure is situated in Palermo
with clubs such AMERIKA packed every weekend. For information the Buenos Aires gay scene visit the
Gay Guide .
Berlin
When Sally Bowles sang "Life is a Cabaret" in the musical profiling the decadent and uninhibited cabaret
scene of the Weimar Republic, she was referring to life that should be celebrated in all its diversity. After
a seventy year hiatus, Berlin's famed decadence is back. Whatever you're into, Berlin now has a club to
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service it, including perennial favourite Hafen located in Schoneburg. The almost half a million gay and
lesbian party-goers who descend on Berlin for the Christopher Street Day can't be wrong. On top of all
this, even the current Mayor is gay. Visit Berlin Life for more information on latest gay bars and
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clubs.
Miami
On dedicated gay party weekends, such as Winter Party or White Party, 10,000 revellers descend on
Miami. The beaches, regularly voted in the top 10 in the world, the art deco architecture and world-class
Coober Pedy
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shopping all combine to make Miami a gay hub. Miami Beach is also one of the few cities in the US that
has a domestic partnership registry offering specific rights to same-sex couples. For detail on the city
reinventing fun in the sun, visit Gay South Beach Information.
MEET OUR INSIDERS
Whitsundays Insider: Craig Tansley
Bangkok
Mention the Thai capital and immediately the multi tiered luxury haven, Babylon springs to mind. Then
there are the bars in Silom, Telephone, Balcony and DJ Station, where sensational drag queens perform
Craig Tansley first
discovered Whitsundays at
the age of 12 when his
family chartered a boat and
sailed around the region.
in elaborate costumes. With no laws prohibiting homosexuality and locals who are genuinely friendly and
welcoming to all, pulsating Bangkok seems to have established itself as the pink heart of Asia. For more
information on the gay scene in the city that welcomes tourists with open arms and celebrates their
diversity visit Utopia Asia .
Rio de Janeiro
The million people who gather each year on Copacabana Beach to watch Rio's Pride Parade must be in
the know. This is the city that celebrates everything inclusive. Even the Brazilian President was
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photographed holding the Pride flag last year and it was the Brazilian Government that first lobbied for
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gay rights at the UN. The beaches are the main attraction here, with Copacabana and Farme famed for
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fun, frivolity and eye candy. When the sun sets, bossanova beats are heard in myriad clubs including the
ever popular Le Boy in Copacabana. For info on the city that knows how to party visit Rio Gay
Guide .
NYC: downtown
NYC: uptown
Japan's Naked Man Festival
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Brighton
Maybe it's the pebbled beach, but the ultra-friendly Brightonians seem to have an appreciation for
difference and have created a strong community feeling in their city that is open and welcoming. It's hard
to believe that only 70 years ago, homosexuals were known as 'white-socked males'. Today however,
there's no need for secret signs, with an array of gay venues smattered throughout Kemptown, including
Revenge, which has no problems marketing itself as the south coast's number one gay club. Visit Gay
Brighton for more details on the local scene.
Toronto
When the producers of the American version of Queer as Folk were selecting a suitable city to film what
has become a massive commercial hit, they looked no further than the Canadian city of Toronto. The gay
scene centres around the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets, with a generous smattering of
pubs, clubs and restaurants including the ever popular Woody's. Ontario was also the first Canadian
province to pass same sex marriage legislation, ahead of federal legislation several years later. For a
complete run down on the scene visit Gay Toronto.
Mexico City
As the country's first region to legalise same-sex civil unions that allowed for inheritance and pension
rights, Mexico City is certainly setting the equality trend. The city's gay infrastructure is based in Zona
Rosa, where all one needs to do is follow the pink road to everything gay including the bars Cabaretito
and Boybar. The city's Pride Parade is as old as Sydney's Mardi Gras, with a record 350,000 people
attending this year and 200 organisations involved. For more detail on this city prepared to defy
traditional beliefs and embrace diversity visit Gay Mexico .
More about Bangkok, Krung Thep:
Bangkok: Rip-off tip-offs
Bangkok Insider: Andrew Burke
Topics:
Bangkok, Krung Thep
Bangkok: 48-hour itinerary
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Bangkok: Awesome links
Berlin, Berlin
Bangkok: Boring but important
Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Toronto, Ontario
Barcelona, Catalonia
Miami, Florida
Mexico City, Distrito Federal
Brighton
Gay
Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv
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World's best pride parades
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World's best pride
parades
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With 10,000 participants marching Related links:
down Oxford Street, Sydney's
Mardi Gras tilt shift style
annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi
Rio pips Sydney as top gay destination
Gras parade is the culmination of
a month-long cultural festival
celebrating diversity. The spectacle, generally watched by around
300,000 onlookers, is the largest demonstration of gay pride in the
Asia-Pacific region.
Lyndon Barnett spotlights some of Sydney's competition with a look at the most fabulous pride parades from around
the globe.
New York
Beginning one year after the 1969 riot that sparked the gay rights movement, New York's annual Pride march is the
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oldest march for sexuality equality in the world. Symbolically, the parade route passes the Stonewall Inn on
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Christopher Street.
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Today the parade is seen as a "celebration of our lives and our community". Held in June, the march is the finale of
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a week-long festival, which now attracts around 750,000 people. Visit the NYC Pride website for more information
on potentially the most historically significant event on the gay calendar.
Amsterdam
In a city famed for its canals, it seemed logical that, rather than marching through the streets, Amsterdam's pride
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celebration would feature a flotilla of boats. Dubbed a floating canal parade, 75 glittering boats traverse the
Prinsengracht and Amstel rivers.
Dating from 1996, the festivities now take place over one weekend at the end of July and are attended by 500,000
revellers. Visit the Amsterdam Gay Pride website for more info on this unique pride celebration.
Manila
Noted as the first city in Asia to host a gay rights march, Manila has kept the tradition going since 1994, with around
2000 people attending the annual event. Held in December, the parade route begins and ends at Rajah Sulayman
Park in the Malate area. The current organising committee, Task Force Pride, say their aim, "seeks to promote
positive visibility for the LGBT community". For more info on the Philippine festivities, visit the Task Force Pride
website.
London
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One million people attended London's pride festivities in 2009, where after a two-week cultural festival the
celebrations culminated in free concert performances in central London. Five temporary stages were constructed
throughout the West End, with the main stage in Trafalgar Square.
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London has certainly come a long way since 2000 participants attended the first pride rally in 1972. The aims of
Pride London are to, "promote equality and diversity through all of its campaigns". For a complete rundown of all the
pride activities in London, visit the Pride London website.
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Rio de Janeiro
With stunning beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean, it's logical that a beach parade is suited for Rio de Janeiro. In
recent years, more than 1 million people have partied around the trucks, which make their way down Copacabana
Beach in October.
The parade was first held in 1995 and is now Brazil's second largest after São Paulo's, where around 3 million
Jeju Loveland,
Korea
people attend. The São Paulo parade is generally acknowledged as the largest pride parade in the world. For a truly
Brazilian equality experience, visit the Nao Homofobia website for more info on Rio de Janeiro's parade and the SP
Nine things
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Gold Coast
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Parada website for Sĕo Paulo's festivities.
Berlin
The first sexuality equality parade in Berlin was staged in 1979. Called Christopher Street Day, after the street in
FEATURES
New York's Greenwich Village where the Stonewall riots occurred, the Berlin festivities today attract around 500,000
revellers. The parade itself is held at the end of a month-long cultural festival throughout June. The floats wind their
way down Kurfürstendamm, past Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, ending at the iconic Victory Column.
For more info, visit the CSD Berlin website.
San Francisco
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Held over one weekend at the end of June, the San Francisco Pride Parade features 200 floats travelling west
along Market Street from Beale to 8th Street. The San Fran Pride tradition dates back to 1970 when a "gay-in" was
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staged and is now attended by more than 1 million people. According to the organisers, the aim of the parade is to,
"educate the world, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people". To join the festivities
in San Francisco, start with a visit to the SF Pride website.
Madrid
Madrid's pride parade is staged at the end of a 10-day cultural festival in late June/early July. The colourful march,
which now attracts 1 million partygoers, starts at Puerta de Alcala and ends at Plaza Espana. Curiously, Barcelona
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held its first pride parade in June 2009, marching from Plaça Universitat along Sepúlveda Street to Plaça d'Espanya,
and in doing so offers revellers another Spanish option. Visit the COGAM website for more info on Madrid's festival
http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/world/1015669/worlds-best-pride-parades[4/03/2010 11:02:34 AM]
World's best pride parades
and the Pride Barcelona website for more details on Barcelona's festivities.
Montreal
Montreal's pride tradition dates back to 1979, when 200 supporters marked the 10th anniversary of New York's
Stonewall riots. Today the Montréal pride festivities are enjoyed by 200,000 people over four days in August. The
pride parade features 2000 participants who march along René-Lévesque Boulevard East. After the parade, there is
an alfresco dance party in Émilie-Gamelin Park.
The president of the organising committee said the parade, "symbolises our advancements in human rights and our
continued work for social acceptance". To celebrate pride in Montreal, visit the Fierte Montreal Pride website
Athens
A relatively newcomer on the pride circuit, Athens first held its pride celebrations in 2005 and is growing in numbers
from a couple of hundred people, to now thousands of supporters. Held on a Saturday in June, the pride march
starts in the late afternoon, with parties continuing well into the night. A focus of the parade is a 31metre Pride flag.
Organisers state the reason for their parade is to strive for, "absolute equality guaranteed by the constitution". For
more information on how to join the Athenians in their sexuality equality push, visit the Athens Pride website.
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Toronto
POSTED BY: ELLE, TORONTO, ON 27/02/2010 5:54:39 PM
Seriously? You don't include Toronto's Pride Week - one of the largest cultural festivals in North America
with attendance of about 1 million? With 10 days of events, including Family Pride, the *** March and others
in addition to the Pride Parade? Toronto will be the host of WorldPride in 2014 - the first time it's held in
North America. Check it out!
Report comment
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Korea's sex theme park
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your community • your voice • your newspaper
Australia’s leading gay and lesbian newspaper
Est. 1979
www.starobserver.com.au
New Mardi Gras will not act
on community calls to stop
NSW Police marching in next
year’s parade.
Following public outcry
over the police presence
at Sleaze Ball last month,
community members wrote
to Sydney Star Observer
calling for police to be
banned from marching in
the parade.
“We would prefer to enter
into a constructive dialogue
with police in the first
instance before taking this
into consideration,” NMG cochair Steph Sands said.
She said NMG had raised
community concerns over
police handling of the night
with Surry Hills Police Supt
Donna Adney.
“Police have listened to
our concerns but will of
course continue their drug
operations,” Sands said.
“We have requested more
consultation and meaningful
dialogue with them about
how to minimise the impact
of their operations on the
amenity of our events,
particularly at the entry areas,
and have informed them of
our intentions with regard
to ongoing community
ANI LAMONT
The Aurora Group will
emphasise
projects
addressing mental health
disparities, and solutions for
an ageing GLBT population,
as it invites submissions for its
small grants program.
Worth up to $5000 each, the
small grants aim to provide
support for a range of nonHIV-related gay and lesbian
services.
“An important part of
Aurora’s
philosophy
of
community support is to be
able to fund small projects or
one-off community services
that otherwise would not
see the light of day,” Aurora
company secretary Rob
McGory said.
“The small grants program
is intended to fund a variety
of projects. In the past these
have included educational
film projects, queer arts, selfdefence, housing, health and
welfare services, community
education
and
youth
projects.
“This year we are interested
to hear from eligible projects
or organisations that address
similar community needs,
and also those addressing
recent emerging research on
mental health and ageing.”
Aurora’s small grants
program provides additional
assistance to the GLBT
community, on top of
the financial assistance
provided to Aurora’s two
main beneficiaries, Twenty10
and the Gay and Lesbian
Counselling Service.
What do you think?
Tell us at:
consultation, and adding our
voice to the overall debate
and concerns across the
whole community about
the extent of police drug
operations and how they are
conducted.”
Sands said NMG’s control
over the situation was
minimal, but steps would be
taken to reduce the effect on
patrons next year.
“It is not within NMG’s
power to dictate what kind
of presence the police have
at our events. We are in the
same situation as other
promoters,” Sands said.
“What we can do is:
establish a more thorough
consultation process with
the police prior to our future
events; review our entry area
operations and proceedures
to ensure we can better
manage this kind of police
presence; inform our patrons
more effectively; and lobby
and consult with other event
producers and our own
community organisations.”
Supt Adney was contacted,
but declined to comment.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Aurora’s
call out to
community
groups
Police
will
march
in 2010
parade
ANI LAMONT
Issue 994
Crown prince a real queen
Affectionately dubbed India’s Gay Prince, Crown Prince
Manvendra arrives in Sydney for the first time this
week, hoping to raise awareness of HIV prevention and
discuss India’s colonial remnant, Section 377.
Full story: page 12
info: Applications for the
small grants program must
be received by no later than
Friday November 20.
For more information or to
download an application
form visit www.auroragroup.
com.au Donations to assist
the Aurora Group can also
be made online.
cover story
Indian prince creating change
LYNDON BARNETT
When Crown Prince Manvendra Singh
Gohil of the Indian state of Rajpipla
arrives in Sydney this week, it will be his
first visit to Australia. However, rather
than coming to relax or take in the famous
landmarks, his trip is purely professional.
“I don’t know much about the country.
My visit is very work-orientated. My focus
is on drawing attention to the needs of
sexual minorities and decriminalising
homosexuality in countries that have
draconian laws. I’m meeting with lots of
LGBT groups and gay Indian groups,” the
prince said.
“In my free time I would like to see the
country and visit the beautiful spots.”
Prince Manvendra was famously
outed to his parents by his doctors in
2002, while recovering in hospital from a
nervous breakdown.
When the knowledge became public
several years later, the fallout in his
conservative home state was significant.
Effigies resembling the prince were
burned and his family disowned and
disinherited him. They have subsequently
reconciled.
In an effort to create change, the
prince, dubbed ‘India’s Gay Prince’ by
many media outlets, established the
Lakshya Trust in 2000.
“As a child I had a sort of confusion in
my mind about my sexuality. There was
nobody to share my feelings. There was
no support system,” he said.
“My idea of starting this organisation
was to create a safe place where different
people can come from around the
country. There may not be anybody to
solve your problems. But in having a safe
place there will always be someone you
can to talk to and who will listen to your
problems.”
Recognising the significant HIV/AIDS
phenomenon in India, the Trust has
thrown its energies into HIV prevention,
efforts which were recognised by the
United Nations in 2006. As such, the
prince’s visit to Sydney and Melbourne
is being coordinated by ACON, with
assistance from the Burnet Institute.
The public formalities include an open
community forum and a fundraising
dinner.
12
The Star
As co-founder of Trikone Australia, an
Indian support and activist organisation,
Alan Maurice will attend a special event
for gay South Asians living abroad.
“Being a prince he has more influence
within the decision-making bodies
that govern India, including laws,
funding, awareness, etc which the GLBT
community need. There will definitely
be a ripple effect to his coming out and
from the contribution he is making to the
GLBT community,” Maurice said.
“India needs ‘ambassadors’ to promote
that homosexuality is normal. In Indian
society a prince coming out will have an
influence across many within the caste/
class system.
“It takes a lot of courage to do this and
he must be admired and respected for
this. Princes and royalty in India are still
revered and respected. He is the de facto
face of the gay movement in India.”
While in Australia, the prince also
hopes to draw attention to the Indian
legal situation. On statute, India retains
the British colonial law, known as Section
377, which criminalises homosexual acts.
In July this year, the Delhi High Court,
in a landmark decision, found the law
unconstitutional.
The prince believes this ruling
has wider implications than simply
decriminalising homosexuality. It also
has implications for changing society’s
views on homosexuality.
“Not many people knew about this law
before. But when it was read down, there
was much media all over the country.
It definitely helped make gay issues
more mainstream — more visible to the
population. It was the talk of the town,”
Prince Manvendra told Sydney Star
Observer.
“The legal challenge also started
a debate among intellectual people
including medical doctors who debated
whether homosexuality is really a disease
or an illness. The more arguments and
discussions happen, the more people
will come to learn the misunderstandings
they carry about us. It is a long battle to
fight — this is the beginning, because
society’s mindset needs to be changed.”
The prince’s strategy to create change
is to engage those who directly affect
Wednesday 28 October 2009
society’s views.
“We target those in
society who have the
power to influence
society including the
political leaders, the
police
department,
medical staff and
spiritual
leaders
who protest against
changing the law. We
hold desensitisation
workshops
and
make them aware
of the issues. I also
talk with students
to tell them about
homosexuality,”
Prince Manvendra
said.
“Of course the
media are helping
also. The media
—
including
television, print,
internet — have
started
saying
very
positive
things
about
homosexuality.”
While
the
Indian
press
continue to cover
Crown Prince Manvendra
the debate on
Singh Gohil ... creating
homosexuality,
change by engaging those
international
who affect society’s views.
media
outlets
have
been
particularly
interested in Prince Manvendra’s
story. Everyone from Oprah to a BBC confident, articulate and very much at
reality television series has featured ease with his sexuality. He cites his work
the prince. He’s also had requests from with the Trust as offering a great deal of
documentary makers and film producers personal satisfaction.
Having experienced so much in his
to profile his life.
“This story of mine has travelled life — he’s now 44 — the prince offers
across the world. People are fascinated this advice to those challenging their
and inspired by it. It’s drawing a lot sexuality.
“I have been telling all my friends to
attention with a lot of people interested
be proud of what you are. Whatever you
in documenting it,” he said.
When asked whether he has any are, you are born like that. It’s not out of
regrets, the prince responded reflectively choice. You have to appear proud that you
that he has no regrets and that the are gay and you should be happy with the
episodes in his life have made him the situation you are living in,” he said.
“I hope society will come to a point
person he is now. Indeed he is very
where
they respect everyone alike, irrespective
of sexual orientation. We are all equals,
we are all human beings.”
info: The free community forum featuring
Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is on
Wednesday, November 4 at Paddington RSL
from 7pm. The prince will also be the guest
of honour at a special fundraising event
at Sydney’s Victoria Room on Thursday,
29 October at 7pm with proceeds going to
ACON and the Lakshya Trust. Tickets are $25
from www.everydayhero.com.au/The_Prince